Death Records in Wyoming County
Wyoming County obituary and death records are maintained by the Register of Wills in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. Wyoming County is a largely rural county in northeastern Pennsylvania, named after the Wyoming Valley and formed from Luzerne County in 1842. The Register of Wills holds historical death records from 1893 through 1906. For deaths from 1906 forward, the Pennsylvania Department of Health manages all death certificates. This page explains how to find Wyoming County death records, who holds them, and what resources are available for genealogy research.
Wyoming County Quick Facts
Wyoming County Register of Wills
The Wyoming County Register of Wills also serves as Clerk of Orphans' Court. The office is located at the Wyoming County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. The phone number is (570) 836-3307. The office handles probate matters, estate administration, and historical vital records for the county. Historical birth and death records from 1893 through 1906 are on file here, along with marriage license records dating back to 1885.
Tunkhannock, the county seat, sits along the Susquehanna River and has been the center of Wyoming County government since the county was formed in 1842. Wyoming County is known for its rural character and scenic countryside. The Register of Wills office provides public access to estate files, historical records, and court documents related to deceased Wyoming County residents. The office is open Monday through Friday and accepts walk-in and mailed requests during regular hours.
Visit the Wyoming County government website for information on all county offices and how to reach them.
| Office |
Wyoming County Register of Wills Wyoming County Courthouse 1 Courthouse Square Tunkhannock, PA 18657 Phone: (570) 836-3307 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | wycopa.org |
Wyoming County Death Certificate Process
Certified Wyoming County death certificates for deaths from 1906 to the present are available through the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. Each copy costs $20. Standard mail processing takes about three weeks. You can apply online through the state vital records portal or by submitting a paper request. For quicker turnaround, VitalChek handles expedited requests for an additional fee. The state posts current processing times online.
When submitting a request, you need to provide the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the county. You also need to show proof of your relationship to the deceased or a valid legal reason for the request. Certified copies are accepted for legal purposes. Genealogy copies, which are available for records more than 50 years old, carry fewer access restrictions and can be obtained through the state genealogy program.
Note: Wyoming County death records from 1893 to 1906 are only available through the county Register of Wills in Tunkhannock, not through the state vital records office.
Historical Wyoming County Obituary Records
Wyoming County was formed from Luzerne County on April 4, 1842. The county is named after the Wyoming Valley, one of the most storied regions in Pennsylvania history. The Wyoming Valley Massacre of 1778, in which British forces and Loyalist allies attacked the Continental Army and settlers, is one of the defining events in the area's history. Many of the families who survived and resettled in the region after the Revolution became the founding residents of what would become Wyoming County. Genealogical research in this county often turns up family lines that stretch back to that colonial-era settlement.
Before statewide death registration began in 1906, and even before county-level registration started in 1893, deaths in Wyoming County were recorded informally by churches, families, and local newspapers. The region's many Protestant congregations kept detailed parish records. Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian churches in Tunkhannock, Meshoppen, and other towns kept burial registers that are now held by local historical societies or the Pennsylvania State Archives. Cemetery surveys conducted by genealogical volunteers have helped create searchable indexes of tombstone inscriptions throughout the county.
Wyoming County newspapers, including the Rocket-Courier and earlier Tunkhannock papers, have published obituaries for the local community for many generations. These notices often contain far more detail than an official death certificate, including the names of surviving children and grandchildren, years of local residence, and organizational memberships. Microfilm copies of these papers are available at the Wyoming County Library and through interlibrary loan.
Wyoming County Death and Genealogy Research
Genealogists researching Wyoming County have several paths to follow. The Pennsylvania State Archives vital statistics records include statewide death indexes that cover Wyoming County. Some of these collections are available for online searching. The State Archives in Harrisburg also holds original ledgers and microfilm for researchers who want to examine primary sources in person.
Probate records at the Wyoming County Register of Wills go back to 1842. Estate files are public documents and contain rich genealogical information. When a Wyoming County resident died and left an estate, the probate process created a paper trail that can include the names of all heirs, the value of property, and family relationships. These files are among the most detailed death-related records you can find for any county.
The Pennsylvania genealogy death records program provides access to death certificates more than 50 years old without requiring proof of direct relation. This program is a practical tool for Wyoming County researchers tracing ancestors who died in the 1970s or earlier. Death certificates from this period can confirm birth dates, parents' names, and places of origin that are not always easy to find in other records.
Related Wyoming County Records
Other Wyoming County offices hold records that connect to death research. The Recorder of Deeds maintains property transfer records. Real estate often changes hands after a death, and deed files can confirm the date a person died and who inherited their land. The Prothonotary office holds civil court records, which may include estate disputes or probate-related litigation.
The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court system handles estate proceedings in all 67 counties. In Wyoming County, this function is handled through the Register of Wills office in Tunkhannock. Orphans' Court records cover estates, guardian appointments, and adoption proceedings. These files are open to the public and can be requested directly from the Register of Wills office at the courthouse. The state's vital records regulations govern how death records are issued and who may access them.
Cities in Wyoming County
No cities from our directory are currently listed for this county.
Nearby Counties
Wyoming County borders several northeastern Pennsylvania counties. Death records and family histories in this region often cross county lines, so checking neighboring counties can be helpful.